The Team: Harry Kikstra
Team role
|
Guide, expedition leader, climber,
photographer, filmer & executive producer. |
Looks like
|
 |
Biography
|
I am the founder, owner and managing Director of
7summits.com,
the company and website. Born in 1970 in the Netherlands, I
now live in Amsterdam. Since gaining a Master's degree in
business management, I have combined commercial work with an
adventurous life that takes me all over the world. I created
my company and popular website
7summits.com
in 1999 when I became a full-time adventurer, organiser and
leader of expeditions, including some TV productions.
- Worked for innovative Internet startups DigiCash &
eCash technologies
- Ex eCommerce-consultant for Origin
- Field Producer of Adventure TV series PlanetRace (series
2002 & 2003)
- Creative producer of interactive multichannel concept The
Blackbeard connection, including website, game and movie
production. (2005)
- Use to play bass guitar in a band, on a self-made bass
- Author of
pocket summit guide book for Aconcagua (2005) & Denali
(2006)
- Photographer, writer of books and articles and lecturer |
Climbing Experience
|
Climbing & adventure bio:
I love to travel, and enjoy climbing and photographing
mountains and people everywhere.
I am the 3rd Dutchman to have climbed the 7 summits, see
statistics here. Other adventures include:
- Climbed Ojos de Salados, Rwenzori mountains (Uganda),
Chogolisa (Pakistan, no summit), Mt Blanc (3 different
routes) as well as smaller mountains all over the world.
- Cycled with Romke Jonker on a tandem bike from Amsterdam
to Zermatt, climbed Punta Gnifetti afterwards (4500m)
- Cycled Amstel Gold race and Liege Bastogne Liege few times
both.
- Climbed waterfalls, ice, rock and other steep stuff in
Scotland, France, Italy, Spain, Chile, Thailand and many
other places.
- Guided on Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Denali, Aconcagua, Everest
& Vinson.
- Co-expedition leader with friend Alex Abramov on Vinson &
Everest (7summits.com/7summits-club.com expeditions) |
Favorite place in the world
|
Each one of the 7 summits has its own charm
and it is difficult to choose. But maybe Antarctica was the
most impressive: the sunlight, the endless mass of ice with
beautiful mountains. A real wilderness. Rwenzori (Uganda)
was really great, what a beautiful place. But Nepal is nice
as well. And Morocco. And Australia. And Alaska. And
Patagonia. And Pakistan.... and .. and..... |
Best day of
climbing ever?
|
The first time on Mt Blanc was great, my first real mountain
with good friends. Rwenzori was amazing every day. And
nothing beats the 17k Ridge on Denali, the sunrise from
Kilimanjaro or the climb to North Col on Everest or the
location spotting on Thailand's Krabi Island. Ahh, too many
good memories, mostly wonderful because of good company. |
Expectations?
|
Spending more time in this wonderful place with more
wonderful people. It will be a real challenge to help Thomas
get to the summit, it will take a lot of good as well as bad
times. But if you do not set your goals high, you will never
reach them. I expect a great adventure (somehow I seem to
attract that :-) with great friends |
What should be the audience's reaction after seeing the
documentary?
|
They should be moved by the force of the human spirit. The
difference between reachable and unreachable goals is only
perception, mostly from others. They should understand a
little bit more about the world. They should realize that
for the price of one dinner someone in Nepal can see again.
They should understand that there are many beautiful places
on earth and that we should take care of them and the people
living there. They should also see that we have created a
great work of art by documenting this historic expedition. |
Anything you
want to share?
|
See the world with your own eyes if you
have that ability. It is beautiful and you only live once to
discover it. |
Harry is proudly sponsored by
The
North Face gear and clothing,
Suunto wristop computers
&
Millet Expedition boots
.jpg)
|
